Top 10 Health Benefits of Cloves

What are Cloves?

Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of the tropical tree, Syzygium aromaticum which belong to the Myrtaceae family and is native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.

For centuries, cloves have been used both as a spice and medicine in India and China.

In fact, clove oil, the dried bud, stem and leaves of clove are quite popular for their medicinal properties.

Clove oil, Study Finds has been a traditional remedy for relieving nausea, motion sickness, hiccups and vomiting. Additionally, clove oil has been approved by the American Dental Association as a dental anesthetic.

Clove cleans the tongue, palate and upper part of the throat of any bacteria or decaying matter and its strong aromatic qualities alter the smell within the mouth.

Chewing on clove or gargling with clove solution is the easiest way to keep bad breath away.

Improve Digestion

Clove promotes an increase in digestive enzymes as well as increases digestive motility, thus curbing production of excess digestive gasses, which can otherwise contribute to stomach bloating and flatulence.

Control Diabetes

Cloves help insulin function more efficiently, thus requiring less insulin to get glucose into cells to provide energy.

A study presented at Experimental Biology demonstrated that cloves boost insulin functioning and lower blood glucose levels along with reducing total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes. The study suggested that type-2 diabetics who consume 1 to 3 grams of cloves per day could control their glucose levels.

Good Bone Health

The hydro-alcoholic extracts of cloves such as eugenol, flavones, isoflavones and flavonoids protect bone density and mineral content of bone, as well as increase the tensile strength of bones.

Liver Protection

The high antioxidant content in
cloves protect organs from the harmful effects of free radicals,
particularly the liver. In the long run, metabolism increases free
radical production while simultaneously decreasing the level of
antioxidants in the liver. Cloves counteract those effects with
its hepatoprotective properties.

Improve Immune System

However, the star ingredient that contributes towards immunity in clove is eugenol, which is effective against many harmful bacteria, fungus and viruses.

The anti-viral and blood purification properties of clove reduce toxicity in blood and increase resistance against a multitude of diseases by stimulating antioxidant activity throughout the body, thus boosting the immune system.

100 grams of ground clove provides 11.83 mg of iron.

Anti-cancer and Antibacterial Properties

Research by scientists at the University of Minnesota, the University of Pittsburg and China’s Capital Medical University demonstrated that clove extract halted the activity and growth of colon, breast, ovarian, and liver cancer cells.

The germicidal properties of clove oil make it a very effective remedy for dental pain, toothache, sore gums and mouth ulcers.

Clove oil treats respiratory ailments like bronchitis, colds, sinusitis and asthma because of its anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antibacterial properties.

Clove oil massages are quite popular since they reduce mental exhaustion, fatigue, anxiety and tension due to their relaxing effect on the mind.

Aphrodisiac

Research conducted by Biomed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal confirmed that the ethanol content in cloves has a positive impact on libido.

Healthy Skin

Topical application of clove oil removes acne due to its antimicrobial properties. For treating acne, clove oil must be added to a carrier oil in the ratio 1:10 (1 part clove oil, 10 parts carrier oil). This mixture must be applied with a cotton ball on the affected area.

Clove oil exfoliates blemishes and scars making the skin appear clear and healthy.

RecipesClove CookiesIngredients

˝ cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 egg

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon ground cloves

Method

Stir melted butter and sugar in a large bowl till they blend properly.

Add vanilla essence and egg and beat the mixture until it becomes smooth.

In another bowl, mix the flour and cloves with a fork to distribute the cloves evenly. Add the flour to the butter-sugar mixture till it mixes well. Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Scoop the cookies with the help of a teaspoon and place them on a cookie sheet, spacing them an inch apart. Gently press the cookies.

Bake for 7 – 9 minutes, until the edges of the cookies have become golden brown.

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool.

Store the cookies in an airtight container.

Spices, cloves, ground

The nutritional values of "Spices, cloves, ground" per 100 grams are:

Nutrition Summary

Total Calories

274

Protein

6 g

Fat

0.4 g

Carbohydrate

65.5 g

Nutrients

Amount

%Daily Value

Calcium, Ca

632 mg

63.2 %

Copper, Cu

0.37 mg

18.4 %

Iron, Fe

11.83 mg

65.72 %

Magnesium, Mg

259 mg

64.75 %

Manganese, Mn

60.13 mg

3006.35 %

Phosphorus, P

104 mg

10.4 %

Potassium, K

1020 mg

29.14 %

Selenium, Se

7.2 mcg

10.29 %

Sodium, Na

277 mg

11.54 %

Zinc, Zn

2.32 mg

15.47 %

Vitamin A

160 IU

3.2 %

Vitamin C

0.2 mg

0.33 %

Vitamin B6

0.39 mg

19.55 %

Vitamin E

8.82 mg

29.4 %

Vitamin K

141.8 mcg

177.25 %

Riboflavin

0.22 mg

12.94 %

Thiamin

0.16 mg

10.53 %

Folate, DFE

25 mcg

6.25 %

Niacin

1.56 mg

7.8 %

Sugars

2.38 g

Fiber

33.9 g

135.6 %

Cholesterol

0 mg

0 %

Water

9.87 g

Carotene, alpha

0 mcg

Carotene, beta

45 mcg

Choline

37.4 mg

Lycopene

0 mcg

View all +

Data source: USDA Nutrient Database, R25

*Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie reference diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower based on your individual needs.

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